I personally like the first spell from the cold domain. Assuming you're a cleric, what are some domains that you think are strong choices, based on their 1st spell?
Ambition advanced spell is pretty good, but you'd also require haste because of action management ( strike x 2, sustain, raise shield). Going with 8hp/lvl and master fortitude by lvl 15 is somehow reckless, and I'd avoid it.
Healing domain, either base and advanced, are also good to push healings for free.
Advanced might domain is excellent for a warpriest ( by lvl 14 with deity s protection is wonderful).
Protection domain advanced spell gives a cool AoE protection against all damage.
So by the OP's parameter of only the 1st level spell, only Healing?
Hmm, I don't find that one that good, unless one's healing that target a lot that is which seems a flaw elsewhere! (Maybe in a Cleric + Giant Barbarian pairing, where one focuses on enabling the other.)Kobolder!, it all depends on what you want from your PC, and whether to improve a strength, gain breadth, or to cover a gap in ability. And if I recall, you're the one who wanted a cold-domain Paladin so I'll add it also depends on your Charisma since that's going to matter for offense.
Fire Ray, for example, is a solid single target blast and can make up for poor ranged attacks (perhaps due to low Dex in plate armor). Except if you have lower Charisma, you won't hit often enough to warrant a Focus Point. That's trading in a Lay on Hands (great) for one single gamble so it might not even be good if you have a high Charisma! Better to nab a Cantrip and blast at will (likely through a Dedication or Ancestry feat).
Personally I like Earth's Hurtling Stone, but that's due to it being 1-action so works great on top of another spell. It suffers the same caveats as Fire Ray though if you're a Paladin.
Here's a list where you can click down the various spells:
https://2e.aonprd.com/Domains.aspx
-Freedom stands out to me, as in certain (terrible) situations it can be better than Lay on Hands.
-Destruction's Cry of Destruction is a good AoE, especially on a martial in melee, though if your party has multiple casters w/ AoEs I wouldn't bother.
-Lightning's Charged Javelin resembles Cold's spell if that's the kind of thing you're looking for.
-I like Truth's spell because it's non-combat so won't vie w/ Lay On Hands, and it could help a lot vs. some RPing obstacles.
-Wyrmkin's Draconic Barrage is probably my favorite, though you'd want a 16+ Charisma (though I suppose a 14 w/ consistent boosts would work too). It starts slow and has MAP so it's situational for a martial.
-Family's Soothing Words is a good, situational, one-action counteraction of emotional effects, if you have the Charisma to counteract well. Even better if surrounded by low-Will allies.
-Time's Delay Consequence is a great (!) emergency stopgap tactic (not that one wants to be in an emergency!), if you have the party prowess to aid that victim (and given that you've just spent a Focus Point/Lay on Hands just to give allies the opportunity to do so.)
There are more that give good non-combat bonuses, and others that fit niche builds well, but it's hard for any to compete vs. Lay on Hands though getting a domain will give you another use of that. :-)
So by the OP's parameter of only the 1st level spell, only Healing?
I gave this some consideration with my Warpriest of Sarenrae and in the end did favour Sun above Healing, simply because I found Healer's Blessing lacking. Dazzling Flash scales well and even while it targets Fortitude just one missed attack will often be more damage mitigated than the additional points that Healers Blessing can restore. Also, Dazzling Flash works on its own whereas Healer's Blessing does not. And while Rebuke Death certainly is really, really handy Positive Luminance should not be underestimated, especially as it works without any DCs and also works out of combat, i.e. it can help speeding up your pauses.
Yes I was considering paladin, but that might be shelved until the cold domain is available to them, so I was curious if I could do cool things with a cleric instead! I also was looking into divine sorcerer earlier and being significantly more spell focused as well. Beyond wanting something divine, I dont know what I'll play yet. We dont start for ages so I have time. You never know, i might end up making a thread asking something about oracles next... Or divine witches, or divine summoners... hmmmmmmm, ive only just realised how many divine themed choices i have available. BUT, one thing at a time...
I like cold domain because of how fun ot sounds to play, lodging an ice spike in someone with the knowledge that if they dont act fast it'll go boom. Dumber creatures get hurt more and smarter ones get a moment of panic trying to remove it. It seems to have good damage too.
I like cold domain because of how fun ot sounds to play, lodging an ice spike in someone with the knowledge that if they dont act fast it'll go boom. Dumber creatures get hurt more and smarter ones get a moment of panic trying to remove it. It seems to have good damage too.
I don't want to put a damper on your enthusiasm but if you go for a spell attack spell as your domain spell make sure that you eventually pick up True Strike somewhere across the way.
In general spell attacks are a little harder to land than melee attacks due to various factors (usually no flanking & no item bonus, potentially also being behind in proficiency) so my WP used his Fire Ray mostly on mooks and/or enemies with a confirmed low AC until he picked up True Strike via Human ancestry.
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I was going to get true strike! It made sense when I was considering paladin as well because of their lower proficiency. I'd also considered taking investigator archetype to roll first, then decide if I'll be using it based on the roll result. The idea of knowing I had at least a decent chance of a critical before using the ice spike was very tempting.
Being a cleric with devise a stratagem is especially good because if you dont roll well you can always cast one of your many non-attack spells.
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Abomination Domain is the best domain by far, the initial can give your whole party +1 status to hit, and flexible penalty to the enemies.
The advanced is just amazing - increase their frightened value and deal a bit of damage as a reaction.
Locked to one deity though, and only as an alternate domain - I suggest Splinter Faith.
I was going to get true strike! It made sense when I was considering paladin as well because of their lower proficiency. I'd also considered taking investigator archetype to roll first, then decide if I'll be using it based on the roll result. The idea of knowing I had at least a decent chance of a critical before using the ice spike was very tempting.
Being a cleric with devise a stratagem is especially good because if you dont roll well you can always cast one of your many non-attack spells.
Note that Devise a Strategem doesn't work with True Strike since both are Fortune effects. So if you Devise on target X and see a low roll, your True Strike has to go vs. a different target. Though yes, having a caster that can switch between spell attack & save spells (et al) works quite well.
Most of the spell-attack spells are Cantrips so figure out how much of a thing this is for your build. For Divine, Searing Light can be tremendous vs. the right targets, and it Heightens well for later levels. But if that's your only significant spell attack, would it be worth a Dedication (and the Int to qualify for it)?
And if a Cleric, adjust my advice above since I leaned it toward a Paladin/martial with an unknown Charisma not a Cleric/caster w/ an 18 casting stat.
I like cold domain because of how fun ot sounds to play, lodging an ice spike in someone with the knowledge that if they dont act fast it'll go boom. Dumber creatures get hurt more and smarter ones get a moment of panic trying to remove it. It seems to have good damage too.I don't want to put a damper on your enthusiasm but if you go for a spell attack spell as your domain spell make sure that you eventually pick up True Strike somewhere across the way.
In general spell attacks are a little harder to land than melee attacks due to various factors (usually no flanking & no item bonus, potentially also being behind in proficiency) so my WP used his Fire Ray mostly on mooks and/or enemies with a confirmed low AC until he picked up True Strike via Human ancestry.
Another solution would be to get the Shadow Signet Ring introduced in Secrets of Magic.
I think that it depends on the type of character you are playing. I am playing a Calistrian cleric with the Passion domain, she has been able to use the spell a time or two to great effect but she is fun to play.
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Disappointing point of note, Devise a Stratagem does not work with casting spells (other than Eldritch Shot or Spellstrike).... I'd also considered taking investigator archetype to roll first, then decide if I'll be using it based on the roll result. The idea of knowing I had at least a decent chance of a critical before using the ice spike was very tempting.
Being a cleric with devise a stratagem is especially good because if you dont roll well you can always cast one of your many non-attack spells.
... Choose a creature you can see and roll a d20. If you Strike the chosen creature later this round, you must use the result of the roll you made to Devise a Stratagem for your Strike's attack roll instead of rolling...
Spells use "spell attack" rolls not strikes.
That is disappointing. True strike it is then.
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Better than True Strike (a limited resource not really open until 1st level spells become secondary), would be party synergy where somebody's making the target flat-footed and somebody's making them Frightened (likely through Demoralize which you can do before casting).
Save the True Strike for when the target's Concealed or it's do-or-die or maybe for a Heightened Searing Light.
The average bonus from rolling two d20 is around 3-4 if I recall.
Focus Spells replenish, so you don't need to worry so much about "wasting" them by missing.
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To boost your attack spells, you can
- flank your enemy. Tip : wield a whip to fulfill the conditions for flanking while benefiting from reach.
- Demoralize them (mentioned above).
- Get Inspiring Marshal stance at lvl4.
- start with being a Bard and grab Cleric dedication as soon as possible (lvl1 with Ancient Elf)
If you prefer not being in melee, the Reach spell feat completely changes a caster's tactics. Note that it can apply to any spell you cast, including Focus spells.